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Chico, Calgary offices closed; employees released

North American LeagueOffices of the Chico Outlaws and the Calgary Vipers (independent; North American League) have been shut down and all employees laid off, including Outlaws VP/GM Mike Marshall.

Both Marshall and his wife, Mary, worked for the Outlaws. He told the local Chico newspaper he was laid off and the office closed. Meanwhile, the team, which is owned by the league, has no lease next season for Nettleton Stadium — and with no one working in the closed office, there are no sales efforts underway for 2012.

In Calgary, Vipers owner Jeff Gidney has been hospitalized with a serious illness, leading the team to flounder. The team’s last two paychecks in August reportedly bounced, and the Calgary Sun is reporting the team is folding with no employees. The team’s Website has been dismantled as well.

It’s hard to say where this leaves the North American League for next season. The league Website still lists 10 teams, including the Lake County Fielders, and four new teams for 2012. However, two of the four teams (Omaha, Tucson) have no leases for 2012, and the two other teams (Long Beach, Fullerton) dropped out of the league in past seasons.

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